HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Local businesses, like Taco Bus, are stepping up to feed the first responders on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic. According to Florida health officials, more than 5,400 Floridians have tested positive for the virus, and it has killed more than 60 people statewide. “It’s hard to understand what they’re going through,” Taco Bus Marketing Manager Heather Chaudhry said. “I can’t even imagine.”
Taco Bus will be feeding about 500 Hillsborough Co. deputies with District 2 Tuesday and Wednesday. The company also plans to feed Tampa police officers next week. Chaudhry told Reporter JJ Burton they are also partnering with another organization to feed kids in need while they’re out of school.
“Even though we may take a little bit of a hit, it’s something we’re willing to take to help out any way we can,” she said. Several of the stores in the Tampa Bay area are sold out of paper towels, tissues, paper plates, and even meat. Taco Bus is now selling some of those items as well.
“We’re doing what we’re calling a ‘bus load of essential items.’ We’re [ selling] several different kinds of protein options, toilet paper, paper towels, wheat and white bread,” said Chaudhry.
This will also help Taco Bus bring in revenue. It will help the business, and keep their employees working.
“We’re being very upfront and honest with our employees,” Chaudhry said. “We told them their hours might be cut back, but we’re still going to try to give them as many hours as we can so they can get paychecks.”
If you are interested in purchasing some of the items for sale, you can pick them up at any Taco Bus location. You are asked to call first, so you will know if they’re sold out of the item or not.
